The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1887-09-03


served in the United States navy. That year he
was appointed II brigadier general of tho army
and sent on duty to his own state He recruited
thousands Of Union volunteers At Shiloh
hc commanded division, remaining with
Buell's army up to Bragg's invasion of Ken
lucky. After tho battle of Richmond he was
sent To look after the ,lefenses of Louisville
for that city expected visit from Bragg
when Kirby Smith WAS advancing on Louis
Vile
With great vigor Nelson set about fortify-
ing the Kentucky metropolis, but his way was
different from that resortcd to by Lew Wal
lace. Wallace issued n proclamation calling
on the citizens of Cincinnati to mid in throw
ing up the carthworks, and wealthy and prom
inent citizens responded to the call and dug
with their own hands Nelson on the other
hand, gave out the following order:
Having been called on for 1.OOO laborers, it
is ordered that the citizens OF Louisville and
Jefferson county report to Col Horny Dent
the number Of slaves each will furnish, and
they will deliver them into the custody of Col.
Dent to bc used in the erection of fortific:l-
tions. Col Dent Is ordered to impress sl,lIi-
cicnt number of labOrcrs to erect the works of
defense"
Wherever negroes were found ut large in
tho streets they were seized and set to work,
aud there was wild scurrying to and fro of
dusly forms, and hiding away MS soon rs the
order became known. Thus the Qualifications
at CovnSton were built voluntarily by cti-
zns OF Cincinnati and vicinity. Those of
Louisville were made by the forced labor of
negro slaves.
Gen. Nelson was n brave and able soldier
But hc hnl II temper which was II terror to
those who were forced to bc about him His
soldiers knew this well, and sometimes made
it serve their amusement. One evening oil
innocent looking civilian came into his camp
inquirng for the quartcrmostcr. The 'boys,"
scenting some fun, directed him to the gen.
erals tent, where Nelson had already retired
for the night.
"He'll say he's not the quartermaster," ex-
planned the boys. "but don't you believe him.
Tell him you know better, and you want
none Of his lying"
Tho lamb went into tho lions jaws A row
Of heads was duckel out Of the tents NIL along
tho line OF the regiment. The soldiers We're
awaiting the denouement The verdant nois
lily aroused the alleged quartermastcr. There
was roar from the lion within. The lion
demanded what was the matter.
II want the quartermaster, said the ver-
uuHL AIN Ou tue OuUECcTlldSLtT!
There was an explosion.
"Im not the quartermaster," roared Mel
son. "What do you come here disturbin me
for2"
The civilian showed his courage "Come
now, none O. that" said he. "They told me
you'd deny it, but I'll have none O your
blasted foolishness"
The general sprang out of bed and snatched
his sword. "Come here,n he exclaimed.
At that moment it was borne in on the
civilians mind that there was mistake. He
turned about with jump, and made for the
outside " orld as fast as his heels would carry
him, Gen. Nelson after. A shout of laughter
from thousand throats greeted tho civilian
as be appeared, hushed in the twinkling Of an
eye when it was known that the general too
was there.
Heads were ducked inside the tents with
lightning rapidity, and oil was silent as the
grave in a moment A solitary captain sat
outside his tent. demurely enjoying the cool
Of the evening.
Nelson
n don't know" replied the captain.
Gen. Nelson was killed at tho Gait house,
Louisville. His manner had enraged Gen.
Davis beyond all self control Nelson. who
was q very large and powerful man, had
slapped Davis in the face. He is buried at
Cave Hill cemetery, Louisville His pail
bearers were generals from Buell's army and
soldier friends. His body lay i'll state awhile,
and his own division attended tho funeral in
procession.
AT Louisville Buell. rcorganized his scat
tered army. Thousands Of new recruits
came and they were assigned to the thinned
old regiments, and these were filed. When
ready to move once moro against Bragg,
Buell. had an army Of 100000 men. 1t was
divided into three corps, commanded respec-
lively by Maj Gems. a, McD. McCook,
Thomas L. Crittenden and Brig. Gen. Charles
C. Gilbert Gen. Gilbert was West Point
graduate Of 1916.
Practically Buell's chase from Murfrees-
boro, Tenn, to Louisville, KY, had the APP
pearance Of o retreat 1t was contended that
be should have been more vigorous in action,